Calgary lowest in desirability for UFAs?

[Jacks]

We'd certainly be on the lower half of the list but I doubt we are last. Some players are truly in it for the money, nothing wrong with that. The argument that all teams are offering the same money is dumb, teams with bad travel and undesirable climate will pay a UFA more. Even if it was the same money there are also tax considerations, Calgary is near the top of the list for after tax income.
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=118670

Choosing Montreal for a 4 million dollar player means 400K+ in extra tax.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

No you said that NO free agents outside of Western Canada would want to come here. Well there were 3 from last year. but deflect deflect!

Maybe you should go research what other UFA dmen sign for before calling Wideman overpaid.

You're misunderstanding. My point was no big fish would sign here unless they're from Western Canada or have always had a dream of playing in Canada (Bouwmeester). And Wideman is overpaid, too much term, too much $$, who cares what other Dman sign for. Almost everyone on July.1st will be overpaid.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by $ven27

You're misunderstanding. My point was no big fish would sign here unless they're from Western Canada or have always had a dream of playing in Canada (Bouwmeester). And Wideman is overpaid, too much term, too much $$, who cares what other Dman sign for. Almost everyone on July.1st will be overpaid.

Yes well that is the point isn't it? Hard to argue that one person is overpaid, when they're ALL overpaid.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yes well that is the point isn't it? Hard to argue that one person is overpaid, when they're ALL overpaid.

My point was never on over payment, that comes with the territory. It's just what Bertuzzied chose to run with.

[browna]

That's about right.

Winning or potential for winning is obviously the number one factor...started with guys like Amonte and McCarty (which was big at the time), then the likes of Hamrilk, Nolan, Bertuzzi coming here, then of course Bouwmeester, were mostly about assembling a team that could produce results. Playing with guys like Iginla and Kiprusoff was a big factor for some, as was playing in the rabid hockey market.

Most of those guys seemed to like the city once getting here, some wished they could've stayed longer...so if they're moving anyways, which particualr city they are living in really has no bearing in the decision it.

The big x factor here is to not underestimate the relationships and the feeling players get from those at the top of the organization.

D. Sutter was a straight shooter when talking with players and with agents when trying to get them to come here. You knew where you stood, and why he wanted you. Once you got here, he stood true to his word, he didn't "leak" info to other agents or the press or play that sort of game in the public eye, so the player was protected from that. As an agent you didn't mess around with Sutter either or try and pit him against some other GM for a bidding war. Players and agents respected that he would be there to back up his word when you got there, not put on a dog and pony show (or DVD's) to get you to sign and have things go the other way as soon as you signed (Pronger). That sort of reputation got noticed within the PA, which helped future signings.

Since Darryl's departure, that reputation he built around the way the Flames conducted business, around the league, to put it mildly, has gone out the window.

[puckluck2]

Lets not be Edmonton Oiler fans. This sucks, no need to sugar coat it.

[Muta]

Weather gets way too much attention when this topic comes up. What a sissy thing thing to worry about.

What about the fact that Calgary has consistently been ranked as a Top 10 place to live in the world, if not Top 5, by credible sources? It's a terrific place to raise a family, which hockey players seem to like to do early on in life.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by browna

D. Sutter was a straight shooter when talking with players and with agents when trying to get them to come here. You knew where you stood, and why he wanted you. Once you got here, he stood true to his word, he didn't "leak" info to other agents or the press or play that sort of game in the public eye, so the player was protected from that. As an agent you didn't mess around with Sutter either or try and pit him against some other GM for a bidding war. Players and agents respected that he would be there to back up his word when you got there, not put on a dog and pony show (or DVD's) to get you to sign and have things go the other way as soon as you signed (Pronger). That sort of reputation got noticed within the PA, which helped future signings.

What about when he signed Andrew Ference to a hometown discount and then traded him away for a rental? That couldn't have been a good precedent for future signings.

[Young-Sneezy]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Lets not be Edmonton Oiler fans. This sucks, no need to sugar coat it.

this doesnt suck, because if "Justin Bourne" walked up to me and said:

"DERP THE BEST PLACES TO PLAY IN THE NHL ARE THE PLACES WITH PERENNIAL CONTENDERS DERP"

I would literally ask who the f he is then walk away.

PLUS the score is out of Ontario, aka the center of the ####ing universe, which means the following:

1. Eastern Canada rocks
2. Western Canada sucks
3. Calgary, specifically of Western Canada sucks the most

I cant take anything anyone from Eastern Canada says about Calgary seriously, because its such a laughable opinion

These lists are seriously stupid.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Muta

Weather gets way too much attention when this topic comes up. What a sissy thing thing to worry about.

What about the fact that Calgary has consistently been ranked as a Top 10 place to live in the world, if not Top 5, by credible sources? It's a terrific place to raise a family, which hockey players seem to like to do early on in life.

A lot of people hate the cold. A lot. There's a reason the US has over 300 million people and makes you jump through hoops to become a citizen and Canada 35 million despite letting anyone come in and like and it's not because the US offers more opportunities to make money or have success. It's because a large majority of the world dislikes steady sub zero temperatures.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by $ven27

My point was never on over payment, that comes with the territory. It's just what Bertuzzied chose to run with.

Fair enough. But to insinuate that Calgary had to overpay to get them here (while true) is disengenuous as every team would have had to overpay to get them to their team.

But regardless, I don't have a lot of stake in this because one persons opinion of where they think the most desireable UFA locations are means dick. People have different reasons for playing (or not playing) in any given city. Who would have guessed that Minny would land BOTH Parise and Suter? If I was an NHL player Vancouver would be my last destination. I doubt this blogger would agree with my reasons...

[Dagger]

I'm not overly concerned about it. Whilst it may hold true for players with no ties to the area, there are many Alberta, Saskatchewan and even Manitoba born players that would have no problem coming here...and there are a plethora of players those from those provinces in the league.

Further, whilst we'll never be a talent hotbed(ie NYR or BOS) during FA, history has generally shown that money can bring in depth players we may need when we're good again such as 2nd line wingers, 3rd line centres and 3-6 defenseman.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by fotze

Overpriced UFA's are exactly what this team does not need and has not needed the past 15 years. They will never be the backbone of a solid team. They are the granite countertops of a solid house. Calgary has been a house constructed with 2X2 'studs' spaced at 16 inches with tile backsplashes and solid steel appliances for far too long.

Tell me more about these 2x2 16 inch studs...

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

A lot of people hate the cold. A lot. There's a reason the US has over 300 million people and makes you jump through hoops to become a citizen and Canada 35 million despite letting anyone come in and like and it's not because the US offers more opportunities to make money or have success. It's because a large majority of the world dislikes steady sub zero temperatures.

They don't give us citizenship because of the weather?

[Ezio]

Edmonton is actually a ####hole, but the FAs come mostly for the competitiveness of a team and the role of the management/owners.

[dustygoon]

While I don't live there anymore, I still have a soft spot for YYC. I saw the article and came here to rubber neck at the outrage of being last. Instead there is some rationale discourse. Go read the comments on his blog. Edmonton fanboys losing their shinguard at the lack of culture shot.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Jacks

We'd certainly be on the lower half of the list but I doubt we are last. Some players are truly in it for the money, nothing wrong with that. The argument that all teams are offering the same money is dumb, teams with bad travel and undesirable climate will pay a UFA more. Even if it was the same money there are also tax considerations, Calgary is near the top of the list for after tax income.
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=118670

Choosing Montreal for a 4 million dollar player means 400K+ in extra tax.

It's not an argument, it's an assumption made for purposes of the article.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Young-Sneezy

this doesnt suck, because if "Justin Bourne" walked up to me and said:

"DERP THE BEST PLACES TO PLAY IN THE NHL ARE THE PLACES WITH PERENNIAL CONTENDERS DERP"

I would literally ask who the f he is then walk away.

PLUS the score is out of Ontario, aka the center of the ####ing universe, which means the following:

1. Eastern Canada rocks
2. Western Canada sucks
3. Calgary, specifically of Western Canada sucks the most

I cant take anything anyone from Eastern Canada says about Calgary seriously, because its such a laughable opinion

These lists are seriously stupid.

Good thing the writer is from Kelowna

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Exactly, which was my entire point. Bouwmeester is the last prize of July 1st to land in Canada in general in a while, so it's not just Calgary either.

Bouwmeester wasn't a UFA, signed on June 30th...

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Bouwmeester wasn't a UFA, signed on June 30th...

Ha, well basically was.